Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 75m
Min elevation: 45m
Total Ascent: 56m
Hike overview
Litchfield National Park's Cascades offer a refreshing escape amidst cascading waterfalls and inviting rock pools. Choose your adventure – a tranquil retreat at the Lower Cascades or a more challenging hike at the Upper Cascades.
Lower Cascades: Ideal for a relaxing dip, the Lower Cascades feature a shady 2.6km return walking track leading directly to Cascades Creek. These shallower pools are known for their secluded atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a swim with just a few others. Public toilets and picnic tables are conveniently located near the carpark, although camping is not permitted. However, be aware that the Lower Cascades walking track closes during the wet season due to potential flooding and increased crocodile activity.
Upper Cascades: The Upper Cascades offer a more challenging 3.3km loop hike (or 3.6km return during the wet season), traversing rugged bushland and ascending the Tabletop Plateau. This grade 4 trail rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Remember to pack plenty of water, wear sun-protective clothing, and bring appropriate footwear for the uneven and sometimes steep terrain.
Regardless of which section you choose to explore, a parks pass is required for all visitors to Litchfield National Park.
Track grade
Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 75 m
Min elevation: 45 m
Total climbing: 56 m
Total descent: -56 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Litchfield National Park.
Accessing the Lower Cascades trailhead requires travelling by car to Litchfield National Park, roughly 100 kilometres south of Darwin. Take the Stuart Highway south until you see the turnoff for Batchelor Road. Follow the well-marked signs for Litchfield National Park through Batchelor and Rum Jungle. Continue on until you see signage for Wangi Falls. Instead of turning off for Wangi Falls, keep following the sealed road for a further 23 kilometres. You’ll then see signs for Cascades, directing you to the carpark and trailhead for the Lower Cascades walk.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Adelaide River, Batchelor, Berry Springs, Darwin, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo, Katherine, Pine Creek, Rum Jungle, Wangi Falls
About the region
Litchfield National Park: A Natural Wonder of the Northern Territory. Litchfield National Park, encompassing roughly 1,500 square kilometres, is a jewel of the Northern Territory. This ancient landscape, shaped by water over millennia, boasts a captivating array of natural wonders. Cascading waterfalls tumble from the sandstone plateau of the Tabletop Range, forming crystal-clear pools ideal for swimming.
The park is significant to the Koongurrukun, Mak Mak Marranunggu, Werat, and Warray Aboriginal people, with their ancestral stories woven into the very fabric of the landscape. Visitors can explore shady monsoon forest walking trails, marvel at the unique magnetic termite mounds, or be awestruck by the weathered sandstone pillars of the Lost City.
A Haven for Adventure
Litchfield National Park offers endless opportunities for exploration. Whether you seek refreshment beneath cascading waterfalls, marvel at fascinating termite mounds, discover hidden waterholes, or challenge yourself on hiking trails, this park caters to all interests. Camping is the primary accommodation option within the park boundaries, but various lodges and resorts are located nearby for those seeking different comforts. Even a well-planned day trip can allow visitors to experience the park's highlights.
History and Accessibility
The park's name honours Frederick Henry Litchfield, a member of the Finniss Expedition, the first European encounter with this region. Extensive mining for tin and copper dominated the area from the late 1800s until the mid-20th century. Declared a national park in 1986, Litchfield has become a haven for nature lovers.
While a sealed road connects the park's major attractions, a four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary to access The Lost City, Homestead, Central Valley, and the Reynolds River Track. During the dry season, this track allows experienced drivers to reach the Daly River Road. Renting a vehicle? Confirm if it's permitted on unsealed roads.
Accessibility is twofold. The park can be reached via the southern entrance near Batchelor or the northern entrance along Peninsula Way, forming the Litchfield Loop. This loop integrates the park with the Cox Peninsula, creating a more extensive sightseeing experience.
A Local Favourite
Litchfield National Park's pristine swimming holes and scenic walking tracks make it a cherished destination for Darwin residents. Basic amenities like meals and refreshments are available near Wangi Falls, while various accommodation options cater to different budgets and preferences, including campsites, cabins, and caravan parks within or near the park, and lodging options in the nearby township of Batchelor.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Litchfield National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.





